The march to production for one of the hottest shows of last year continues. With only another 10 days until The Last of Us season 2 starts filming in Vancouver, Deadline reports that HBO has revealed the directing lineup for the new season, and it includes some all-time TV veterans.
First of all, returning from season 1 are co-showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann. They directed the first two episodes of the first season, respectively, and will be sitting in the chair again for the second one. Also returning from season 1 is the guy behind the first season’s highlight, Peter Hoar, who helmed episode 3 “Long, Long Time.”
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Four new additions have been announced. First, the network confirmed that Loki season 1 director Kate Herron will be joining the second season of the hit show. The news broke a couple of weeks ago, but now it’s official.
The big get this season, however, is Succession director Mark Mylod, fresh off an Emmy for directing episode 3 of the final season of the critical darling series, “Connor’s Wedding,” as well as three Emmys as a producer for the last few seasons of the show. He also directed the 2022 streaming hit The Menu, with Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Fiennes, and Nicholas Hoult.
Also joining season 2 of The Last of Us as a director is Nina Lopez-Corrado, who worked on the second season of Perry Mason after years of guest-directing episodes of TV. Her career is about to receive a major boost. Finally, another HBO veteran is boarding season 2 of the show too: Stephen Williams, who helmed two episodes of Watchmen, including the exceptional “This Extraordinary Being.” In other words: la crème de la crème of TV directors.
The Last of Us Season 2 Starts Shooting on February 12
Production on The Last of Us season 2 is days away from starting. Craig Mazin had confirmed back in December that production would be starting on Feb. 12, meaning he raced against time to get the scripts ready after the WGA settled the strike.
The team is already in Vancouver, where they will be at least shooting a good chunk of the new season. This was confirmed by a photo posted by the Vancouver Afghani restaurant Zarak, which you can see posted below. From left to right are one of the restaurant owners, Craig Mazin (co-showrunner and lead writer), Isabela Merced (Dina), Young Mazino (Jesse), Bella Ramsey (Ellie), another restaurant owner, co-executive producer Jacqueline Lesko, and producer Cecil O’Connor.
Missing from the picture is Pedro Pascal, who is probably at the doctor’s office getting his shoulder ready for shooting, and Kaitlyn Dever, who will play Abby in the new season. However, Abby’s role is much smaller when compared to Dina and Jesse’s at the beginning of the story, so it makes sense she hasn’t made her way into Canada yet and is instead hitting the gym.
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The new season of The Last of Us is expected to premiere on HBO in 2025. This stellar directing lineup further confirms the confidence that the network has in the show, but also how well the first season was received within the industry. Top-tier TV directors are knocking on Craig Mazin’s door to work with the team on further seasons. From that, only good things can happen.
About The Last of Us
Release Date: Jan. 15, 2023 (Season 1); Season 2, 2025
Created by: Craig Mazin and Neill Druckman
Executive producers: Craig Mazin, Neill Druckman, Carolyn Strauss, Evan Wells, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, and Rose Lam
Production: Sony Pictures Television, PlayStation Production, Word Games, The Mighty Mint, and Naughty Dog
Distribution: HBO, Max
Cast: Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Kaitlyn Dever, Young Mazino, Isabela Merced, Gabriel Luna, Anna Torv, Nico Parker, Murray Barlett, Nick Offerman, Melanie Lynskey, Storm Reid, Merle Dandridge, Jeffrey Pierce, Lamar Johnson, Keivonn Woodard, Graham Greene, Elaine Miles, Ashley Johnson, and Troy Baker
Synopsis (Season 1): The Last of Us takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal and heartbreaking journey as they both must traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.
What do you think about these directors for season 2? Do you think they will deliver another great season? Have you played the games, and if so, how excited are you about the direction of season 2? Let us know your thoughts on our social media channels on Discord and Twitter, and stay tuned for more on The Last of Us!
SOURCE: Deadline
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